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Sunday, 23 September 2012

Moon Landing Pt. II

One of the major hurdles in space flight was energy to
escape the earths gravity. Explaining why we see rockets larger than the actual
space capsule/shuttle. This fuel is required to leave the earths orbitsuccessfully. Something in the range of 5,625,000 lbs of propellant, this was
for each section of the rocket. The first stage of the rocket uses the most
violently, this is for the Saturn V rocket to achieve orbital velocity. Bearing
in mind all the fuel is for the whole trip. Including the traveling in space
part, even after reaching zero-gravity, the craft still requires energy to
direct the ship in the desired direction and more importantly, to slow down.

A surprise to many people at the time and now was that the
launching of the Saturn V could of ended in disaster, leaving the rocket to
explode violently and shoot the wreckage in any direction for 3 miles. This was
known to the astronauts, but they still had the courage to take off, even in
the face of danger, which still merits valour to this day. Its funny to assume
that the computing power that was required to send a rocket of to space in the
60's was less computing power than a cell phone by today's standard. There were
many issues with the space flight, but over all it was a success.

Fig. 1 Picture of Niel Armstrong next to the American flag on the surface of the moon.

Credit: NASA

The mission was sequenced into stages. First was the take
off (or launch), where a massive amounts of fuel ignited allowing the Saturn V
rocket to exit the earths gravity within 12 minutes. Millions watching as it
made its mark in history. Then reaching orbital space, the S-IVB rocket engines
came to full ignition pushing and guiding the Apollo spacecraft towards the
direction of the moon, escaping from the earths orbital gravity. Almost
sling shotting itself towards the moon. An important aspect of reaching the moon
was to consider that the moon itself was not sitting still. The moon was also
orbiting around the earth, making the landing dynamic. This is where theory of
gravity comes into full effect. Once reaching the moon, the lunar craft,
orbited the moon taking 2 hours for each circuit. During this phase the Lunar
module (LM) also called the eagle decoupled from the main ship, housing Neil
Armstrong and Buzz Aldwin. Leaving Michael Collins in the orbiting in the
Columbia CMS capsule. While Aldrin and Armstrong decoupled from the CMS it made
its slow descent t the lunar surface. The LM descent thrust engines were
powered on for 30 seconds to allow for slow and smooth landing. Knowing that
the LM was their only way home and damaging it was an option they had. No one
was going to come to their aid if they got stuck. After about 8 minute, the LM
was 25,000 ft over the moons surface and away from their destination landing
site by about 5 miles. Thrust engines were still being used to decent the LM to
the ground, which was actually piloted by Armstrong at the time. Interestingly
enough the LM never reached its destination, landing instead in the sea of tranquility, 4 miles far from its intended destination and the touch down
occurred 1:30 seconds earlier than planned, counting towards the missed Landing
zone.

Fig.2 The Sea of Tranquility was the landing zone for the Lunar Module.

Credit: NASA

Once, landed Armstrong and Aldrin did not leave the LM for
nearly 4 hours. Then turning on the camera and filming the footage that is
known around the world. Neil Armstrong said the famous line “One small step for
man, one giant leap for mankind”. This in itself summed up the feelings if the
world and brought mankind together, even just for a small time. During such
hostilities and violence, this endeavor put humanity into perspective.

People even today argue that the moon landings were fake. Criticizing the pictures that were taken of the moon landing and even the video
images of the landing. People claimed that the stars were not visible and the
flares of light and casted shadows on the astronaut clearly assume it was in a
studio. All of these anomalies have been explain in pure science and corrected
where needed.

Even if the moon landing back in 1969 was fake (Which is not
likely) it no longer matters as space exploration is now a collaboration
between all countries and no longer a competition, such the space race between
the US and USSR was back in 1969. Interestingly enough, President Nixon, had
drafted a speech for either outcomes. One detailing and commemorating their
success and their courage, and the other was for their death or failure. Both
had been ready as this endeavor was uncertain and with the 600 Million
international viewers, this mission could not be kept secret. Everything was
counting on it.

Since then our science has become more advanced. Better
understandings on physics, sophistical aerospace and electrical engineering.
All have allow for a more comfortable and safer journey into space. With the
birth of the International Space Station (ISS) and missions to Mars and other
exo planets, the collaboration is international, where we can put together out
best minds to achieve goals, which before were near impossible alone.

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Since this is not a personal blog, I will disclose very little about myself. I enjoy science and wish to make this site a vessel for scientific knowledge. I will not post up personal information of any sorts about myself (Facebook, Address Book etc.). Enjoy the journey.